Colombo, November 16 (newsin.asia): Sri Lanka’s Elections Commissioner, Mahinda Deshapriya, on Saturday said the island’s Presidential election was without any major incident of violence reported and that the voter turnout of over 80%.
Deshapriya, told journalists here after the end of voting, that there were seven violent incidents reported from across the country which included shooting and stabbing while there were 248 minor violations such as threats and intimidation. These numbers were far less as compared to previous elections, he pointed out.
“I think this is the first Presidential election which concluded so successfully. I am very happy. I am satisfied with the overall voter turnout as well,” Deshapriya said.
The highest voter turnout was reported from Hambantota, in the south, while the lowest turnout was reported from Mannar, in the north.
Deshapriya said that the winner is likely to be announced by Sunday evening and the new President is likely to be sworn in by early next week.
35 candidates contested the Presidential poll on Saturday which was held after five years.
An estimated 16 million people out of the 22 million people were eligible to vote.
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